Process for cleaning car-cushions.



J. MACN. WILSON.

PROCESS FOR CLEANING CAR CUSHIONS.

APPLICATION FlLED MAY 2. 1914.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

J. MACN- WILSON.

PROCESS FOR CLEANING CAR CUSHIONS.

APPUCATION HLED MAY 2.1914.

1343,47 3. Patehted Oct. 16, 1917.

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rarer oration JOHN MAGNA'ULL WILSON, OF IIONTCLAIR, NEH] JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 FRANKLIN MURPHY, OF NE'WARK, NEW JERSEY.

PROCESS FOR CLEANING CAR-GUSHIONS.

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Be it known that I, Jonrilviaollaum. Wilson, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Cleaning Gar-Cushions, of which the following is a. specification.

The invention relates to the cleaning and renovating of articles and fabrics of various kinds and particularly to a process for cleaning and renovating car cushions of plush, cane, or other material.

One of the objects of the invention is to cleanse the outer portion or surface of car seats or other articles with a suitable liquid by applying such liquid in a manner that will permit the cushion or article to be dried promptly and permit practically immediate use thereof.

Another object of the invention is to remove all dust dirt and foreign substances from the article and simultaneously to utilize the air currents generated by the cleaning device for the purpose of applying a liquid to the article.

A further object of the invention is to apply a liquid in the form of a very fine spray and then remove the liquid from the article by a rubbing action which will cause the liquid to penetrate a suitable distance into the nap and at the same time dry the outer ends of the nap or the outer surface of the article.

The various otherobjects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part more fully set forth in the following description of my improved process which consists in the steps and methods hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of apparatus for carrying out my improved process.

Fi 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the parts in operative position.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing controlling means for the liquid outlet.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented (lot. 16, 191%.

Application filed May 2, 1914. Serial No. 835,832.

My improved process consists'broadly in carrying the very finely divided particles of a suitable liquid into contact with the surface to be treated by means of vigorous air currents which are utilized to break up the liquid into extremely minute particles or vesicles;

Preferably the liquid is applied after a preliminary brushing or carding of the article to be treated which removes loose dirt and foreign matter and also straightens out the nap. and particularly the fine fibers thereof. The liquid when deposited by air currents just described, forms a fine layer on the surface without particular penetration below the top of the nap, is allowed to remain thereon for a period depending on the nature of the liquid and the extent, if any, it is desired to start the dye in order to renew or brighten the article. The surface is then subjected to the action of a rapidly rotating brush which removes the deposited moisture or liquid, and at the same time brings the same momentarily into contact with the lower and intermediate portions of the nap, but without allowing the liquid to collect thereon or remain in contact therewith for an appreciable period. This operation may, if desired, be repeated a number of times provided a single application of the liquid is not sul'iicient to produce the desired results. The surface is then allowed to dry, which occurs in a very brief timerand the article is then ready for use.

The particular type of apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings adapted for carrying out my improved process, comprises a portable frame 1 having a receptacle :2 of any desired size for suitable cleansing and renovating liquid of any well known or prepared ingredients. Mounted upon the frame is a rotatable brush which is driven at a predetermined high speed by any suitable means as an electric motor 4. The brush projects above the topeof the frame and slightly above the tops of antifriction rollers 5that provide means for carrying a car cushion 6 or other article into'contact with the brush. A suitable nozbunt g re iance zle 7 is mounted on the frame that is in communication with the liquid receptacle by a suitable pipe or conduit 8. l he orifice of the nozzle is spaced short distance from the brush and has its axis inclined slightly toward the brush. The nozzle is so located that the liquid will be ejected opposite the upper half of the brush and in practice I have found that good results are obtained when the liquid is discharged in a horizontal plane intersecting the brush in a line about forty-five degrees from the vertical axis of the brush.

The passage through the nozzle is controlled by a valve 9 that is preferably operated by a foot pedal 10. The pedal is operatively connected to the valve by a bell crank lever 11 secured at one end to the stem 12 of the Valve and connected its other end to the pedal or foot lever by a suitable chain or other connection 1%. The leverll may be supported in any suitable manner as by an arm or bracket 15 secured to or formed integral with an extension on theshell or casing of the nozzle. 7 if desired, the frame may be provided with a folding extension 16 at each end so that a number of cushions can be carried by the frame at a time. Said extensions are provided at their free ends with suitable supports 17 whereby they may be held in adjustedposition. These extensions are of sufficient length to reach approximately to the level of a car window, thus permitting the cushions to be passed through the window onto one of the extensions and thence be carried to the frame or table of the ma chine.

Preferably two depending bafile plates 18 are arranged on opposite sides of the br sh and project downward a suitable distance to inter ept loose particles of dirt or dust and to determine to some extent the air currents generated by rotation of the brush. Ad'acent to the brush on the side thereof next to the nozzle is mounted a horizontal shelf or plate 19 which n ay be formed integral with the bafie plateor separated therefrom as desired, and which is adjustable toward and away from the brush by suitable means as adjusting screws 20, This shelf limits the upward sweep of the air current to a predetermined space adjacent the surface of the brush. 1 v V Under normal working conditions the brush is rotated at a relatively high speed and thus produces strong air currents having a whirling motion tending to follow the brush. The liquid is ejected from the nozzle in the form of a sara and owin to the i .l h

slight inclination of the nozzle, approxilllittQlYtllB same amount of liquid is delivered at all points on a line parallel with the axis of the brush. As the spray passes beyond the edge of the shelf 19 it encounters 65 the violent air current that rushes up between the baffle plate and the surface of the brush, and is divided into extremely fine particles or vesicles which are carried by the air current into intimate contact with the outer portion of the nap without penetrating to the base of the nap, as would be the case if a solid stream of liouid were employed. After the liquid been applied, it is allowed to, remain in contact with the nap for a short interval and then the cushion movement of the cushion which is moved by 5 hand the principal effect of the brush is'a drying action. Y I j he liquid may be applied to the cushion either before or after a preliminary treatment of the nap by. the brush; lepending on the condition of the cushion. In case the cushion is moved, across the brush from the position shown in 3, the surface is first subjected to the scrubbingaction of the brush which removes all dust, dirt and other foreign matter therefrom and as the brushed portion of the cushion passes out of contact with the brush, it immediately is subjected to the air current and receires a coating of the liquid which remains on the surface for a period varying rom a few minutes to a considerable fraction of an hour, depending largely on the nature of the liquid that is used and its effect, if any, upon the dye of the cushion. During the initial or forw l movement of the cushion, the nozzle valve is opened by the operative as he guides the cushion forward and past the brush. When the cushion is moved in the opposite direction, the spray is shut or and the moistened surface or tl nap is sub jected to the action of the brush which distributes any collected moisture and tends to dry the surface. his oper may be anon repeated as many tunes as necessary properly to cleanse the cushion. it is obvious,

however, if the cushion is comparatively free i from dust and foreign matter, orif a very brief contact of the liquid with the fabric is desired that the cushion m y be caused to travel with instead of against the rotation of the brush, that is, in the opposite direction from that indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 1, and, in such case, the liquid will be applied and almost immediately thereafter the moistened surface will come into contact with the, brush. After the entire surface has been treated in this manner, the cushion may bepassed over the brush ina contrary direction to l the first movement,

that is, in the direction of the arrow, and subjected to the drying action of the brush, either with or without a further application of the liquid, as desired.

The penetration of the liquid into the nap of the cushion is determined by the quantity of liquid forced through the nozzle in a given time, mainly by the character of the air currents generated by rotation of the brush. These air currents are controlled to an extent by the adjustable horizontal baiile plate which limits the passage for the air and determines the effect of the air current upon the liquid. The liquid is already in the form of a mist or spray as it is ejected from the nozzle and as it comes into contact with the vigorous air current that sweeps up through the space between the baffle plate and the brush, the spray is further subdivided into extremely fine particles or vesicles which are deposited by the air current on the surface without penetrating to any appreciable or considerable depth. The air current also produces an especially even distribution of the liquid over the surface of the cushion, owing to the fact that the current expends itself in a pocket or recess formed by the contact between the curved surface of the brush and the approximately fiat surface of the cushion which is supported by the rollers. The quantity of liquid forced from the nozzle is controlled by the valve opening and by the pressure from the liquid in the reservoir, but in practice, this latter factor remains practically constant and the flow is regulated almost entirely by the valve.

The limited amount of liquid supplied, the rapid brushing by a rotatable brush provided with flexible bristles, together with the strong air currents, causes the cushion to dry very promptly so that it can be put back in use in a comparatively short time. Consequently, in the case of railway coaches, the cushions can be removed from the car, be thoroughly cleaned, renovated and dried without taking the car from the terminal or interfering with the regular schedules.

It will be obvious that brushes having different kinds of bristles may be used if desired in connection with various kinds of fabrics or to increase or decrease the scrubbing action on the fabric. It will be obvious also that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of the process and that various changes, substitutions and omissions may be made in the particular apparatus for using the process that is shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, provided the means set forth in the following claims be employed.

1 claim as my invention 1. The process of cleaning and renovating &

fabrics which consists in sub-dividing a cleaning liquid into minute particles by an air-current and causing said current to deposit the finely divided particles on the surface of the fabric tov be cleaned in the form of an extremely attenuated coating or film, and then rapidly brushing said surface to remove the film before it has penetrated through the fabric.

2. The-process of cleaning and renovating a fabric, provided with a body portion and a nap, which consists in sub-dividing a cleaning liquid into minute particles by an aircurrent and causing said current to deposit the finely divided particles on the surface of the nap in the form of a coating or film, and then removing said fabric without permitting the same to penetrate below the lower portions of the nap.

3. The process of cleaning and renovating which consists in producing an air current approximately normal to the surface of the article to be cleaned, forcing a liquid spray into said air current in a direction approximately parallel to the surface of the article and approximately normal to said air current, causing the air current to carry a portion of said liquid against the surface, and then removing said liquid and drying the surface.

l. The process of cleaning and renovating which consists in subjecting the cleaning liquid in the form of a spray to the action of an air current to subdivide the same into minute particles, causing said current to carry such particles into contact with the surface of the article to be treated, then subjecting the surface of the article to a rapid brushing action to interrupt the surface penetrating action of the liquid.

5. The process of cleaning and renovating a fabric having a nap which consists in subjecting a cleaning liquid in the form of a spray to the action of air currents to subdivide the same into minute particles, causing said air currents to carry such particles into contact with the outer portion of the nap, then bringing a portion of such deposited liquid momentarily into contact with the bottom and intermediate portions of the nap, and then removing said liquid.

6. The process of cleanin which consists in producing air currents forcing a liquid in the form of a spray into said air currents and causing the current to deposit the liquid on the outer surface of the article to be cleaned, then subjecting the article to the brushing action which is produced by flexible bristles moving at a high rate of speed.

7. The process of cleaning car cushions which consists in carding the cushion to straighten the nap thereon, directing a current of air against the carded portion of the cushion, forcing a cleaning liquid in the forn of a spray into said air current and V Signed at New York in the county of New oausmg the'seme to be deposited on the York and State of New York thisQ-Sth day 1 outer surface of the cushion withoutappreof April, A. D. 1914:. I V

cieble penetration below the top of the nap, I I 5 then subjecting said cushion to a rubbing TQHN MACNAULL WLSQN' action to moisten momentarily the interme- Witnesses: diate portion of the nap and simultaneously M. J. COOPER, dry said cushion. S. A. THORNTON.

Gopiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents eaeh, by addressing the Commissioner of ntents, Washington, D. G.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,243,473, granted October 16, 917,

upon the application of John MacNaull Wilson, of Montclair, New Jersey, for an improvement in Processes for Cleaning Car-Cushions, an error appears requiring correction as follows: In the grant, line 1 of the granting clause, for John Mac- Naull Wilson and Franklin Murphy, their read Franklin Murphy, Ms; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of July, A. D., 1918.

[SEAL] W. H. CLAY,

Acting Commissioner of Pate-ms.

Cl. 15S. 

